Materials Analysis - Cleanliness Testing Lab

Innovatech Labs, Inc.
13805 First Ave. North
Suite 100
Plymouth, MN 55441

Phone (763) 231-0150
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Surface Analysis of Nitinol

Technique: AUGER

The surface chemistry and thickness of passivation layers (usually an oxide) of stents or small diameter wires can be measured using Auger electron spectroscopy. The advantage of Auger is it can provide a quantitative measurement of any surface impurities in the oxide layer as well as determine its thickness using sputter depth profiling. The example below shows an Auger analysis of a Nitinol stent. The Auger spectrum (top figure) of the as-received stent shows mostly carbon, oxygen, titanium, and trace amounts of nickel, phosphorus and sulfur. In this case, the passivation layer is composed of mostly titanium dioxide. The Auger sputter depth profile (bottom figure) of the oxide layer shows its thickness to be approximately 300 angstroms.

Auger Test Results of Nitinol

Innovatech Labs offers a broad range of cleanliness testing, surface analytical techniques, organic spectroscopies, bulk testing methods, and consulting services. Contact us for more information.